Methods, devices and systems for treating pain

Abstract

Methods and devices for stimulating the spinal cord are provided. The method involves positioning an electrical lead in the intrathecal space adjacent to the desired level of the spinal cord. Electrical leads are provides that help stabilize the lead in the intrathecal space and provide for focal stimulation of the spinal cord.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating pain in a patient suffering therefrom comprising:
 identifying a patient suffering from the pain;   inserting an electrical lead into the patient's body;   positioning the electrical lead in the patient's intrathecal space at a level of the spinal cord;   delivering an electrical signal to the patient's spinal cord at the spinal cord level; and   treating the pain in the patient, wherein the pain is axial back pain, groin pain or cancer pain.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pain is axial back pain, the electrical lead is positioned at the thoracic level of the spinal cord, and the electrical signal is delivered to the thoracic level of the spinal cord. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the thoracic level is between levels T-7 and T-12. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the thoracic level is level T-7 or T-8. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pain is groin pain. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pain is cancer pain. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning an electrical lead in the patient's intrathecal space is placing the electrical lead in or underneath the dura mater. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning an electrical lead in the patient's intrathecal space is placing the lead between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning an electrical lead in the patient's intrathecal space is placing the lead under the arachnoid mater between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning an electrical lead in the patient's intrathecal space is placing the electrical lead closer to the pia mater than the subarachnoid mater. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning an electrical lead in the patient's intrathecal space is placing the electrical lead in direct contact with the pia mater. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the electrical lead into the patient is percutaneously inserting the electrical lead. 
     
     
         13 . A method of improving sensory or motor function in a patient suffering from a medical condition comprising:
 identifying a patient suffering from the medical condition;   inserting an electrical lead into the patient's body;   positioning the electrical lead in the patient's intrathecal space at a level of the spinal cord;   delivering an electrical signal to the patient's spinal cord at the spinal cord level to modulate a spinal cord pathway; and   improving the sensory or motor function in the patient, wherein the medical condition is neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or ataxia.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the spinal cord pathway is the lateral spinothalamic tract, the anterior spinothalamic tract, the fasciculus gracile, or the fasciculus cuneate and the medical condition is neuropathic pain. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the spinal cord pathway is the lateral spinothalamic tract or the anterior spinothalamic tract and the medical condition is nociceptive pain. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the spinal cord pathway is the dorsal spinocerebellar tract, the ventral spinocerebellar tract, the lateral corticospinal tract, the ventral corticospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, the rubrospinal tract, or the vestibulospinal tract and the medical condition is stroke or TBI. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the spinal cord pathway is the dorsal spinocerebellar tract or the ventral spinocerebellar tract and the medical condition is ataxia.